Public Hearing to Be Held Oct. 17 on Tax Relief Changes

Public Hearing to Be Held Oct. 17 on Tax Relief
Changes

At its Sept. 12 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
authorized county staff to schedule and advertise a public hearing
regarding proposed tax relief changes. The hearing will be held on
Monday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m. in the Government Center Board Auditorium,
12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.

At the public hearing, residents will be allowed to voice their opinions
on an expansion of the Real Estate Tax Relief Program for the Elderly and
Disabled. If the change to the ordinance is approved, the net combined
financial asset eligibility requirement will increase from $240,000 to
the state maximum of $340,000 for those who meet the age, disability and
income requirements. The income limit would also be increased from
$52,000 to the fixed state maximum of $72,000. These adjustments are
estimated to increase participation in the program by more than 50
percent.

Fairfax County provides real estate tax relief to citizens who are
either 65 or older or who have permanent and total disabilities. Those
who owned and occupied their residences in Fairfax County as of Dec. 31
of the preceding year may qualify for real estate tax relief from the
county if they meet certain income and financial worth qualifications.
The current and proposed limits are shown below:

Current County Tax Relief Program

Total Household Income *

Amount of Relief

Net Assets **

$40,000 and below

100 percent

$240,000

$40,001 - $46,000

50 percent

$240,000

$46,001 - $52,000

25 percent

$240,000

Proposed Tax Relief at State Maximum

Total Household Income *

Amount of Relief

Net Assets **

$52,000 and below

100 percent

$340,000

$52,001-$62,000

50 percent

$340,000

$62,001-$72,000

25 percent

$340,000

* County code excludes $6,500 of the income of relatives, other than
the spouse or owner, who reside in the household. The code also excludes
$7,500 of any income received by an applicant who is permanently and
totally disabled.

** The value of the residence, up to one acre of land and household
furnishings, is not included in the calculation of net assets.

If the ordinance is adopted on Oct. 17, the tax relief changes will be
retroactive to all of tax year 2005. Existing applicants who have already
been certified for some level of real estate tax relief for 2005 will not
need to reapply. The Department of Tax Administration will automatically
review partial exemptions and adjust them as may be applicable for the
second installment due in December. Any applicable refunds associated
with the 2005 first installment tax bill will be processed in December.

The Department of Tax Administration will also re-examine any 2005
applications previously denied due to the existing income and asset
limits. New applicants will still have to file for 2005 tax relief under
the new limits should the Board of Supervisors approve the proposed
changes.

Applications can be obtained by calling 703-222-8234, TTY 703-222-7594,
or online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/pdf_files/2005TaxRelief.pdf.
If the proposed changes are adopted following the public hearing,
applications for first-time filers or for documented hardship
circumstances will be accepted for 2005 tax relief until Dec. 31, 2006.

Residents interested in speaking at the public hearing should contact
the Office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors at 703-324-3151, TTY
703-324-3903, or ClerktotheBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov.

For more information, call the Department of Tax Administration at
703-222-8234, TTY 703-222-7594, or visit its Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta.

FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF
NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND
WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL
ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW FIVE
WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ARRANGEMENTS